Bomb Threat To Equipment Of German Armies

Northern Advocate, 29 June 1943, Page 3

Bomb Threat To Equipment Of German Armies

(Received 9.30 p.m.) (Special) LONDON, June 28 The bombing of Germany continues to be discussed from all angles, “The Observer” believes that the attack against the Ruhr can be said to be the first move in a land battle which may occur in the autumn or next spring because bombing threatens supplies which the German armies may need if compelled to use up present equipment and reserves. “A bomber offensive will be truly successful when the Wehrmacht continuously is forced to use up equipment in battle and call for fresh supplies. These, it is hoped will be scarce or altogether absent” It is pointed out, however, that creation of industries in occupied courttries resulted in the Ruhr operating only two-fifths of Germany’s coal and steel industries, compared with fourfifths pre-war. Where Luftwaffe Failed The “Sunday Times” air correspondent inquires why Americans are succeeding in daylight bombing where Germany failed in 1940. He believes that German day-bombing has not combined with night raids to stretch defences and that raids were made at moderate heights at which interception was easy, that bombers were unarmoured and had no effective defence and that bombing was haphazard, Fighters Pinned Down “At present Allied bombers are dropping about four times the weight by night as by day,” the “News Chronicle” air correspondent says. The Germans are reported to have massed still more guns and searchlights in the Ruhr and that they have gathered 1000 day and night fighters on the north-western air bases of Europe from which they hope to prevent Allied forces from penetrating the Ruhr. At least half the Luftwaffe total strength is pinned down on the northern front. Less than 1000 fighters are believed to be left for distribution between the Russian front, the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and Germany proper. Rome Prepared “Rome is ready for eventual massive bombardments against the city, which has been demanded again in the last few days by the British Press under pretext of striking against military objectives,” says “Fopolo Diroma.” The Romans will in no way be surprised at the carrying out of threats. They will react, should the capital be bombed, with the same courage, firmness and contempt of danger of which other Italian cities give proof.”

“The Times” German frontier correspondent says that Rome correspondents of German newspapers are sending long reports of the bombing of Italian cities. (1) Because German readers are greedily interested in what people at the other end of the Axis are undergoing when Germany is being scourged night and day. (2) Because German authorities want their own people to learn how the Italian Government is attempting to cope with the situation and how the Italian people are reacting. All correspondents say that Italy has begun to take the war more seriously not merely because of the invasion threat but because of the increasing difficulty in transporting food, coal and other commodities over railways over-burdened by military, reduced by destruction by bombing. Prices of unrationed foodstuffs are soaring, necessitating an increase in Civil Service salaries which was blocked after the outbreak of war. 45 Per Cent. Bigger Loads Major-General Henry Migler, commanding the Eighth United States Air Force, said today that he was ready to support 45 per cent increase in bomb leads to be dropped on enemy territory, as promised in a recenl statement at Washington. “Supplies are being organised for this greater effort,” he said. “We have all the facilities we need, thanks to British, who have given us depots, station equipment and supplies. We are definitely set up for a great new flow of planes to the European theatre, and for an aerial offensive against Germany. We have plenty of bombs on hand, including 4000pounders. Our supplies are more than adequate.” Asked if a 45 per cent increase was possible, he said: “I think it more than possible. I think if very probable.” \ U.S. Message To Greeks United States’ Liberators which attacked an aerodrome near Athens in daylight on Sunday also dropped leaflets on Athens and other areas. The leaflets contained President Roosevelt’s picture, also his tributes to the Greeks’ fighting spirit and courage were made when the United States transferred an American-built warship to the Greek navy.

Damage In The Ruhr Devastation caused in the Ruhr by Bomber Command’s recent attacks have set interpretation experts a tremendous task. No sooner have they begun detailed examination of one set of photographs, covering hundreds, even thousands of acres than another great industrial area is bombed and a new set arrives for interpretation. It is thus often weeks before anything like a complete picture of the damage in a particular area can be built up. Fhotographs of Bochum, taken after the attack on the night of June 12 have new been interpreted in detail. The damage is now known to be even more serious than it appeared after the first inspection. Photographs show that 130 acres, containing most of the buildings used for administrative purposes, have been devastated and nine industrial establishments in other parts of Bochum affected. Seven hundred buildings have been destroyed or seriously damaged, also large new military barracks have been most severely damaged—the upper storeys totally destroyed—over an area of 14,000 square yards. Over Many Lands

The United States Army Department announces that a large force of United States’ Eighth Air Force heavy bombers attacked targets in occupied France this afternoon. There were two heavy attacks against Axis positions in the . Mediterranean. Liberators attacked two airfields just outside Athens, doing considerable damage. They also dropped leaflets over Greece. , Wellington bombers attacked Naples with incendiaries and high explosives, 40001 b bombs being dropped. Fighter-bombers from Malta attacked an airfield in Sicily. Two of our planes are missing. R.A.F. Typhoons and Hurricanes on offensive sweeps attacked shipping off the Dutch coast and sank two ships. One aircraft is missing. Fighter Command Mosquitoes, ' penetrating deep into France last night, bombed an airfield and railway yards and damaged ■ two locomotives,', states . the Air '.Ministry news service., pne pilot ; bombed sidings at Orleans.